9/18: Happy Valley ~ Luke Middlebrook

[Kasept]

Happy Valley Selections (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)

Race 1: #2 Chateauneuf, #3 Giant Leap, #5 Perfect General, #1 Happy Day
Race 2: #7 So Treasure, #3 Happy Soul, #2 Happy Trio, #4 Golden Luck
Race 3: #3 Gallant Valour, #6 Lucky Planet, #5 Sunny Darling, #2 E Universe
Race 4: #4 Parents’ Love, #7 Plentiful, #3 Gorgeous Vitality, #5 Ace Talent
Race 5: #2 Simply Maverick, #1 Supreme Agility, #9 Setanta, #5 Star Contact
Race 6: #3 Winning Steps, #6 Flying Silver, #1 Serangoon, #2 Forever Glorious
Race 7: #1 Kaholo Angel, #8 Healthy Healthy, #7 Young Arrow, #9 Mojave Desert
Race 8: #8 Chill Chibi, #1 Moments In Time, #11 Red Hare King, #2 Helene Feeling


Race 1 - WONG CHUK HANG HANDICAP
#2 Chateauneuf ticks plenty of boxes: Purton rides from barrier 1, and the addition of blinkers for the first time might just do the trick. He showed potential last season, winning one from five. #3 Giant Leap ended his first season by scoring a dominant win at this course and distance on his first attempt. The youngster looks more than capable of repeating the dose and has plenty of upside. #5 Perfect General turned in a promising debut down the Sha Tin straight last season, finishing strongly late, one length into fifth. He should appreciate the step up in trip here and appears progressive. #1 Happy Day returns to Class 4, where all three career wins have come. One to watch.

Race 2 - WONG CHUK HANG HANDICAP
#7 So Treasure had six starts last season and began to hit his straps in the latter part of his campaign. Given more time to develop in the off-season and well prepared after two trials, he should acquit himself well first-up. #3 Happy Soul will have the race run to suit his pattern, and he is always competitive in a race of this nature. #2 Happy Trio finished fifth behind Packing Power last week and will find this race easier. Race fitness will also hold him in good stead. #4 Golden Luck was an eye-catcher in his recent trial and will roll forward to give a sight.

Race 3 - WONG CHUK HANG HANDICAP
#3 Gallant Valour was consistently strong in his first season of racing last term. He has drawn perfectly in gate 2 for his return and looked well in his trial. One to beat. #6 Lucky Planet ended last season on a high, winning his first race impressively. He can continue that form. #5 Sunny Darling has slid down the ratings and resumes on a career-low mark in Hong Kong. His trials suggest improvement, and barrier 1 will ensure a favourable run in transit. #2 E Universe resumes for a new stable—Cody Mo. He loves to lead and can give a sight in the small field.

Race 4 - TAI HANG HANDICAP
#4 Parents’ Love has already had a run this season, which is advantageous. He also drops into Class 5 for the first time and receives the guidance of Zac Purton—a noteworthy jockey change. #7 Plentiful is well-prepared with two trials ahead of his return. Barrier 2 will suit his on-pace running style, and he can give a sight. #3 Gorgeous Vitality will be a threat on the downgrade. Barrier 1 ensures he will have the right run. #5 Ace Talent makes his second start in Class 5 and can be expected to improve, especially with Hugh Bowman aboard.

Race 5 - SO KON PO HANDICAP
#2 Simply Maverick ended last season on a sour note, but he is better than that. He won three from seven at this course and distance in fine style during that campaign, all with Andrea Atzeni aboard, who partners him again here. #1 Supreme Agility was trending towards a win with more racing last term and is ready to take the next step. #9 Setanta races on a quick seven-day turnaround after a strong run into fourth behind Helene Warrior. He needs to improve on his Class 3 record, and his racing pattern works against him, but having a run under the belt is positive. #5 Star Contact is consistent, having placed in his last four runs.

Race 6 - THE HONG KONG COUNTRY CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#3 Winning Steps will resume from barrier 2 with Karis Teetan in the saddle. The Pierre Ng-trained six-year-old ended last season in good form with back-to-back placings and looks set to perform well first-up after an encouraging trial. #6 Flying Silver relishes this course and distance as a four-time winner. Danny Shum’s runners deserve plenty of respect early on, and he has conditions to suit from barrier 1 with Angus Chung aboard. #1 Serangoon is consistently around the mark. Wide draws often hurt his chances last season, but a mid-draw here could be beneficial. #2 Forever Glorious is a pace influence and shines at this course and distance.

Race 7 - ISLAND HANDICAP
#1 Kaholo Angel has race fitness on his side as the only second-up horse in the race. He is better suited to Happy Valley and benefits from a significant jockey upgrade with Hugh Bowman on board. #8 Healthy Healthy looked very well in his recent trial. Although he was a market elect last time he raced, he pulled up with a veterinary issue. He can atone. #7 Young Arrow showed improvement with racing last season and has more to offer this campaign. #9 Mojave Desert chased home some good horses in three runs last season and was improving with each race. Blinkers go on for the first time in Hong Kong, a piece of equipment that was effective when he raced in Australia.

Race 8 - DEEP WATER BAY HANDICAP
#8 Chill Chibi will wear blinkers for the first time as trainer Danny Shum introduces a new piece of gear for his first-up run. He showed plenty of potential last season, including a close-up fourth-place finish in the Hong Kong Derby. This race provides a good opportunity for him to bounce back to winning ways. #1 Moments In Time was ultra-impressive last term and still has more to offer. #11 Red Hare King steps up to Class 2 for the first time, marking his biggest test yet, but barrier 1 will ensure every chance. #2 Helene Feeling won first-up at this track and distance last season. Barrier 11 is tricky, but he is in capable hands with Zac Purton aboard.